The pair, who may face charges followed by a court appearance next year, are among a clutch of ex-senior managers at the German solar group being investigated over alleged financial malpractices.

Prosecutors have reportedly obtained an internal memo which they believe proves Ammer knew that the company’s earnings were overstated in Conergy’s financial year 2006 – a period for which it was later forced to lower its previously stated revenues by €70m ($99m).

“All